Clematis plant named ‘TRA35’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Clematis  hybrid named ‘TRA35’ is disclosed, characterized by a very large flowers, up to 22 to 30 cm in diameter. Flowers have uniquely elontaged tepal shapes, and a violet-blue coloration, with a pink median streak. The new cultivar is a  Clematis  typically suited for ornamental container and landscape use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Clematis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘TRA35’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the result of a breeding program, with the objectiveto develop new varieties of Clematis with strong growth and interestingflowers for commercial purposes. The new variety was discovered as asingle plant among a group of seedlings of unknown parentage observed bythe inventor, Bernard Travers. The discovery was made during 2004.Discovery was made at a commercial nursery in Orleans, France.

After selecting and isolating the new cultivar, asexual reproduction ofthe new cultivar ‘TRA35’ was first performed at a commercial nursery inSt. Jean Le Blanc by vegetative cuttings during 2005. The inventormaintained the original plant, and observed the clones for severalyears, to establish stability of the characteristics. ‘TRA35’ has sinceproduced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features ofthis cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. Public access toplant material first occurred during early Spring of 2014. Before thistime, plant material was under the control of the inventor, or thosedirectly authorized by the inventor. This variety is described in CPVOapplication no A201302537. A copy of this application and technicalquestion are included with the mailing of this application. Page 5 ofthe application verifies at the time of the EU application sales had notoccurred either in the EU or any other country. Neither the EUapplication, nor any other publication resulted in an enablingdisclosure of ‘TRA35’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘TRA35’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘TRA35.’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘TRA35’ as a new and distinct Clematis cultivar:

-   -   1. Very large flowers with a diameter of 22 to 30 cm    -   2. Elongated tepal shape.    -   3. Violet-blue flowers with pink center streaks

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Parent varieties are unknown, the breeder is unable to supply records ofthe crossings.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘TRA35’ can be compared to the knowncommercial variety Clematis hybrid ‘Sympathia’ unpatented. The Clematisvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, however‘TRA35’ differs from ‘Sympathia’ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘TRA35’ has violet-blue flowers, with a pink center streak,        whereas this comparator has two-tone pink flowers.    -   2. ‘TRA35’ has elongated tepals, this comparator has broad,        obovate shaped tepals.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘TRA35’ can be compared to the knowncommercial variety Clematis ‘Doctor Ruppel’, unpatented. The Clematisvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics. ‘TRA35’differs from the comparator in the following:

-   -   1. ‘TRA35’ has violet-blue flowers, with a pink center streak,        whereas this comparator has two-tone pink flowers.    -   2. ‘TRA35’ produces a larger flower of 22 to 30 cm, compared to        a typically flower of ‘Doctor Ruppel’, which is 18 to 22 cm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical flowers and foliage of ‘TRA35’.

FIG. 2 depicts an individual flower of ‘TRA35’.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘TRA35’ plants grown outdoors in Saint Cyr enVal, France. The growing temperature ranged from approximately −2° C. to25° C. at night to 8° C. to 33° C. during the day. No artificial light,photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to theplants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalflowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Clematis hybrid ‘TRA35’.-   Age of the plant described: Approximately 8 months.

PROPAGATION

-   Typical method: Vegetative cuttings.-   Time to initiate rooting: Approximately 20 days at 21° C. or higher.-   Time to produce a rooted plantlet: Approximately 40 days at 20° C.    or higher.-   Root description: Fine, fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Climbing vine.-   Height: Approximately 200 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 100 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate to rapid. During active growing season in    Spring, approximately 80 cm per month.-   Branching characteristics: One main stem.-   Length of main stem: Approximately 200 cm.-   Diameter of main stem: Approximately 0.2 to 0.5 cm.-   Main stem color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A.-   Main stem texture: Glabrous.-   Internode length: Approximate range 7 cm to 15 cm.-   Strength: Strong, flexible, semi-woody.

FOLIAGE

-   -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, mostly compound trifoliate            occasionally single.        -   Overall leaf length.—Approximately 22 cm long.        -   Overall leaf diameter.—Approximately 14 cm.        -   Leaflets.—Average Length: approximately 8.6 cm. Average            Width: approximately 4.4 cm. Shape of blade: Lanceolate.            Apex: Acute. Base: Cordate to obtuse.        -   Attachment.—Stalked, twining leaf petiole.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of upper surface.—Smooth with distinctly hirsute            veins.        -   Texture of lower surface.—Rugose, slightly pubescent toward            margin.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Mature            foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage            under side: Near RHS Green 143B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144A. Venation color under side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144A.

-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Range from 2.0 to 6.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 to 0.3 cm.        -   Texture.—Hirsute.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138C, with Greyed-Purple N187A.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period:    -   -   Natural season.—First flush of flowers occur May through            June, then a second flush occurs September.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Axillary occurring; 1 flowers facing    outward.-   Rate of flower opening: Approximately 7 days from bud to fully    opened flower.-   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 8 to 12 days, after fully    opened. Self-cleaning.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Diameter.—Average 22 to 30 cm.        -   Depth.—Average 8.0 cm.-   Flower fragrance: None.-   Corolla:    -   -   Tepal arrangement.—Single whorl, overlapping.        -   Quantity.—6 per flower.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Margin.—Very slightly crenate, moderate undulation.        -   Apex.—Short apiculate.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Texture.—Smooth, velvety upper and lower surfaces.        -   Length.—Average Range 10.0 to 13.8 cm.        -   Width.—Average 2.8 cm.-   Color:    -   -   Tepals.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue            97A with median line near Red-Purple N66D. Lower surface:            Near RHS Violet-Blue 96D with faint streaks near Red-Purple            N74C. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92B            with median line streak near Red-Purple 71B, streak much            stronger near base. Lower surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92B            with faint streaks near Red-Purple N74C. Ageing: Upper            surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92B with median line near            Red-Purple 71D. Lower surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92D with            very faint streaks near Red-Purple 71D.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Elongated sphere.        -   Length.—Approximately 15 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 7.6 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Violet-Blue 94C.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Average range 9 to 15 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Angle.—Average 45° to 80°.        -   Strength.—Flexible.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138A flushed Greyed-Purple N187B.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Average 90 per flower.        -   Anther length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Purple N79C.        -   Anther shape.—Oblong.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.5.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 69D.        -   Pollen quantity.—Moderate.        -   Pollen color.—Greyed-Purple N87D.-   Pistil:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Style length.—Approximately 1.1 cm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Fine irregular hairs. Color: Near RHS            Green-White 157B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds: Seed production not observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Clematis has been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately    −20° C. to 45° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clematis hybridplant named ‘TRA35’ as herein illustrated and described.